PUPILS at one County Durham School pulled out all the stops to celebrate Diwali last week.

As part of the Year 2 Curriculum, pupils at Barnard Castle Preparatory School were taught all about the Hindu Festival of Light.

The pupils came to school wearing bright colours and Indian Sari costumes and created some of the symbols used to celebrate the festival.

Activities throughout the day involved making Lotus flowers and Diva lamps while they also practised mehndi hand patterns.

They also decorated the classroom with fairy lights to help celebrate the New Year and set out all their craftwork in a Rangoli pattern alongside the creation of a Hindu shrine.

The Year 2 pupils presented Year 1 pupils with sweets and fruit, as it is a time of giving.

Year 2 teacher, Claire Priestley, said: “It is important for the children to understand other religions and accept that not everyone celebrates things in the same way.

“The children thoroughly enjoyed learning about the festival and the beliefs and faiths of others.”